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MissionAs the birthplace of celluloid film, Newark, NJ seeks to revolutionize the creation, immersion, submission and viewing process of filmmaking with the commemoration of the Newark International Film Festival. With a groundbreaking 365 strategic approach, we will empower diverse voices, create a unique space for emerging talent through fellowships and developmental mentoring and revolutionize the industry for generations to come.

Introducing the Newark International Film Festival
The 3-day festival will showcase the breadth of the film industry including screenings at a number of cultural anchor institutions and outdoor screenings (weather permitting), stunt exhibitions, pitch opportunities and auditions for TV and film, acting, directing, producing and crowd funding workshops, and much more. The NIFF is the first international film festival hosted in Newark. A main feature of the NIFF will be the Hannibal Goodwin Award for Innovation in Filmmaking in homage to Hannibal Goodwin, the Episcopal priest who invented celluloid film 1887 in Newark, NJ.

The Newark International Film Festival (NIFF) is dedicated to the art of storytelling through film. The NIFF puts filmmakers in front of major players in the film industry and movie lovers from around the world. NIFF’s audience is important, affluent, and eager to celebrate.

One of the main features of the NIFF will be the Hannibal Goodwin Award for Innovation in Filmmaking in homage to Hannibal Goodwin, the Episcopal priest who invented celluloid film in 1887 in Newark, NJ.

The city of Newark has a rich history of fostering great artists and innovators who have created definitive work. As the birthplace and/or workplace of names like Seth Boyden, Thomas Edison, Hannibal Goodwin, Brian De Palma, Savion Glover and many more, Newark continues to make its mark on the world.

We expect to bring approximately 10,000 people to the city of Newark during the 3-day festival. All participants and ticket holders will receive a NIFF black card that will allow them to purchase food and merchandise at participating retailers and restaurant at a discount.

Opening Night
The Newark International Film Festival begins with a red carpet VIP reception on opening night for
dignitaries, sponsors, celebrities and partners. The reception will be hosted by the NIFF Committee and our
celebrity ambassador.

Screenings
Screenings during the film festival will be shown throughout Newark at cultural anchor institutions such as Newark Symphony Hall, The Newark Museum, Newark Public Library, Rutgers University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Essex County College, Military Park and the Cityplex Theater.

Workshops
Throughout downtown Newark we will host a number of workshops for actors, directors, producers, filmmakers, and writers, as well as stunt exhibitions and training, and celebrity meet and greets. We are especially excited about workshops and demonstrations of film production equipment highlighting new technologies.Youth Festival
We are very proud to offer a youth component to the NIFF for youth under the age of 19. The youth festival will be included in the NIFF body but will be governed by a separate group, to ensure that the youth are treated fairly and have the same opportunities available to the
professional filmmakers in the NIFF. Adult filmmakers are not allowed to enter the youth festival however a youth may submit their body of work into any competition in both the youth and adult components.Community Impact
Our goal for the Newark International Film Festival is to provide opportunities, platforms, and bring awareness to great talent in film-making throughout the year. The NIFF also has a not-for-profit component that will serve the city of Newark all year round in partnership with the Newark Office of Film & Television. The partnership will host special workshops, training and job development for Newark residents in the film industry as well as the next upcoming film festival.

One of the programs that the festival will support is the Script to Screen program. Youth ages 12 to 21 will be encouraged to help create a movie or TV idea as a group and see it through from script conception to screen, while learning all of the aspects of the business.

Awards Ceremony
The Newark International Film Festival award show will be hosted at The New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The awards show will be a two and a half hour show with celebrity hosts and performances. The NIFF awards show will be filmed and packaged for TV and the rights to the show will be shopped around to cable and television networks. The Hannibal Goodwin Award for Innovation in Film-making honors the work of especially innovative filmmakers and pays homage to Hannibal Goodwin, the Episcopal priest who invented celluloid film 1887 in Newark, NJ.

Wrap Party
We will host our wrap party filled with dignitaries, celebrities, sponsors, partners, and attendees. Anyone not dancing to the sounds of our celebrity guest DJ will either be forming new partnerships, making new friends, or closing a new deal.